EPA v. United States v Sinisters MFG. Company, INC

Case summary

Diesel performance parts manufacturer Sinister Mfg. Company, Inc. ? doing business as ?Sinister Diesel? ? pleaded guilty to criminal charges today in federal court in Sacramento, California, and agreed to pay a total of $1 million in criminal fines and civil penalties. The company also agreed to implement a compliance program and to not manufacture, sell or install any device that defeats a vehicle?s emissions controls. Sinister Diesel pleaded guilty to a two-count Information, charging it with conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act (CAA) and defraud the United States, and with violating the CAA by tampering with the monitoring device of an emissions control system of a diesel truck. Under the plea agreement, the defendant agrees to pay a $500,000 criminal fine. Sinister must pay an additional $500,000 under the civil consent decree which the United States filed simultaneously with its civil complaint against Sinister, alleging violations of the CAA?s prohibition against the sale or manufacture of devices that bypass, defeat or render inoperative emissions controls. The civil consent decree prohibits the company from making, selling or offering to sell defeat products, including delete tuners, and prevents Sinister Diesel from transferring intellectual property that would allow others to make such products. To ensure compliance with these requirements, Sinister Diesel will implement a robust internal training program and notify its distributors and former customers about the settlement.

Defendants (1)

• Brian GeorgeNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• SINISTER MANUFACTURING COMPANY DBA SINISTER DIESEL

  2025 OPPORTUNITY DR 7, ROSEVILLE, CA, 95678

  Registry ID: 110069231156

Statutes cited

• CAA 203 — Prohibited Acts - Motor Vehicle & Motor Vehicle Engines

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• United States v Sinisters MFG. Company, INCentered 2023-08-01

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $500,000

Timeline (6 milestones)

• 2018-09-28Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2023-08-01Complaint Filed With Court
• 2023-08-01Final Order Lodged
• 2023-08-01Final Order Entered
• 2023-09-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2025-01-31Enforcement Action Closed